Ulcerative keratitis in thoroughbred racehorses in Japan from 1997 to 2008

Abstract

Ulcerative keratitis is the most frequent corneal and ocular disease of the racehorse in Japan. Careful observation of the eyes after racing is necessary as early diagnosis and treatment of corneal ulcers speeds healing. Many antibiotic have efficacy against the bacterial isolates, however, potent antibiotics should be reserved for the most severe corneal ulcers.

Bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity from the ocular conjunctiva of horses

“…Pseudomonas spp. is a gram-negative bacillus, considered as one of the most virulent pathogens of the cornea, with a prevalence between 6 and 14% among the microorganisms identified in corneal ulcers of horses (SAUER et al, 2003;KELLER & HENDRIX, 2005;WADA et al, 2010;WADA et al, 2010). As expected, this genus was not isolated in the present study; although, it was previously identified in the eyes of horses without ophthalmic problems (ANDREW et al, 2003;VIDAL et al, 2010;JOHNS et al, 2011).…”

“…Lesions on the ocular surface, with the formation of ulcerative keratitis, are frequent in horses, due to their anatomic particularities and activity (WADA et al, 2010;KURODA et al, 2015) and the immediate use of antibiotics is recommended to prevent the establishment of infections.…”

“…Plates were incubated for 24h in an incubator, and growth inhibition around each disk was then analyzed, classifying the bacteria as sensitive, intermediate or resistant to the antibiotic. The criteria for the choice of antimicrobials testes were based on the active principles most frequently used in the ophthalmic routine of horses in the Federal District, in addition, topical gentamicin and chloramphenicol are the antibiotics indicated for the preventive treatment of corneal ulcers in horses (SAUER et al, 2003;WADA et al, 2010;JOHNS et al, 2011), with chloramphenicol being still effective against strains of MRS, an emerging infection among equines (KURODA et al, 2015).…”

“…Some eye infections, however, can be caused by resident microorganisms, which become potentially pathogenic after their virulence is increased by external factors, such as trauma, stress, aging and reduction in commensal microbiota (COGEN et al 2008;WILLCOX, 2013). Horses are probably more susceptible to corneal lesions, compared to other species, since they have bulging eyes susceptible to trauma associated with their physical activity and the environment where they live (PISANI et al, 1997;WADA et al, 2010).…”

Ceratomicose em equinos

“…Dentre os diversos fatores aos quais se atribui a elevada incidência de afecções corneais em equinos, elencamse o tamanho do bulbo do olho, seu posicionamento proeminente e lateralizado e atividades físicas dos equinos (STRUBBE et al, 2000;BAKER et al, 2008;WADA et al, 2010). Ainda, a superfície ocular encontrase constantemente exposta a bactérias e fungos.…”